Well



March 23, 1937. C. H, HUTTo 2,074,932

WELL

Filed April 13, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patentedl Mar. 23, 1937 y UNITEDSTATES PATENT VOFFICE Claims.

My invention comprises a. well of novel construction and a new method ofconstructing the same. Although my invention is especially for oilproduction, it is not confined to this use and 5. may be employed forpumping water or other subterranean fluids that it is desired to bringto the surface. In the application of my invention to oil Awells itsolves certain pumping problems not previously overcome'by prior artdevices and for this reason the use of my new well construction resultsin a new method of pumping oil and this constitutes one phase of myinvention.

I construct my well in a manner to convey the oil from the oil bed tothe surface by passage through the casing which is conventionallypresent in prior art wells. By this means I eliminate theexpensivetubing which, inthe prior art, is positioned inside the casingand is used for conveying the oil to the surface. The casing,constituting a passage larger in diameter than ordieXpeIlSe.

nary, presents less resistance to the work of pumping. In addition tothese advantages I provide a simpler and lessexpensive method ofdismantling and assembling the well than is known in the prior art.

In the prior art the tubing, in addition to serving as a conveyor forthe oil, functions as a connecting rod between the pumping enginewalking beam and the pump piston. Therefore, in re- 30 moving the pumpelements it is necessary to disciable length of time.

My pump permits the use of a cable connection between the piston and thepumping engine walking beam. Therefore, less expensive and more portableequipment can be used for dismantling and assemblying the well and theoperao0 from the casing back into the oil bed between the tion can beeasily performed by the well attendant, commonly known as the pumper, inmuch less time than `has been found necessary in prior art practice. I

There are a number of novel features of my invention which permit me toaccomplish these advantages.

I provide a seal between the casing and the subterranean pump. Thus, theoil is contained within the casing from the pump to the surface but itis confined within the pump from the level where it is joined to thecasingdownward into the oil bed., The seal will not permit the oil topass (Cl. 10S-179) pump and the casing. This seal is of novelconstruction.

I also construct the pump as a plurality of unitary elements eachreadily and freely removable from the well apart from the otherelements. In dismantling the well, according to my invention, I do notendanger the future production of the well and I do this by the use ofan element new in well construction which functions to contain the oilin the casing independent of the pump and which I, therefore,term a'container. Integral with the container I provide a standing valve. Thisstanding valve also serves the additional purpose of being available andin operation in the event of the failure of the standing valve which Iprovide as part of the pumpvas in prior art practice.v This standingValve of the container is, for this purpose, auxiliary to the primarystanding valve of the pump. 'I'his is important in that the failure of astanding valve in the prior art practice causes the column of oil in theconveyor tubing to drop onto the oil bed, injure the bed and reduce itsfuture production by creating aback pressure.

The pump elements are especially constructed to facilitate assemblingand dismantling the well and a novel tool, of a structure to cooperatewith the specially constructed pump elements, contributes to thispurpose.

The various advantages as hereinbefore stated will be clear to thoseskilled in the art from the detailed description of the invention tofollow' Fig. 1 presents a cross-sectional elevation of the well with thenew pump in position.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2, taken on line 3-3 ofFig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-esctional views in elevation, similar to Fig. 1,showing the operation of the tool used in dismantling and assembling thewell. v

In Fig. 1 there is shown the'bottom of an oil well. In the constructionof the well it was first drilled to the depth to be occupied by thecasing I. The casing I, which can be of usual construction, was thenpositioned to extend from the surface of the oil field to a level abovethe oil bed 2 but near it within the limits of oil well construction.The casing was then sealed with cement 3 to prevent water or other uidsfrom owing from the upper soil into the oil bed to impair it. The wellwas then dug from the lower extremity of the casing into the 'oil bed 2.The perforated liner '4 was then positioned to extend from the bottom ofthe casing I into the oil bed, as seen in Fig. l. The per- -foratedliner functions to strain the o il out of The well, as described thusfar, may be of usual construction. In fact, my invention is applicableto wells of long use by simply replacing the prior vart'pump with mynovel pump.

'Ihe well, in the condition described, is ready to be equipped with a.pumping means for lifting the oil to the surface.Y The pump I use forthis purpose consists of the working chamber, indicated generally by thereference numeral 5, and

the piston 8. The piston I prefer to use includes a, so called, workingvalve 1, and, similar to common construction, it is one way in itsaction to give the oil passage through the piston out of the workingchamber. However, instead of using the usual tubing for conveying theoil to the surface, I pump the oil directly into the casing as a passageto convey the oil to the surface.

I use the cable 28 as the power connection between the pumping enginewalking beam and the piston. Accordingly, I connect the piston to thecable 29 by means-of the rod 88 which is large enough to cause thepiston to fall of its own weight. As in common practice, the valve 1opens on the down stroke of the piston to permit the passage of theoil,..and closes on the up stroke of the piston to seal it for liftingthe oil, at the same time vdrawing more oil into the working chamber.

The working chamber consists of a working barrel 8, which fits looselyin the casing I and the container 26 hereinafter described, and includesthe cylinder 8 in which the piston works. At the top of the workingbarrel is the bell shaped guide I8 which is beveled as shown at I2 todirect the piston unimpaired into the cylinder when it is being loweredinto the well to assemble the pump. The guide I0, on its outerperiphery, provides a flange that overlaps the container. The bellshaped guide I 8 is attached to the cylinder 9 by screw threads I8 or,instead of being attached directly to the cylinder, it may be joined tothe cylinder by intermediate pipe to add length. This additional lengthis sometimes necessary to extend the working chamber from the casing,which is ab'ove the level of the oil bed, to a`level Within the limitsof the o il bed because of the distance between the bottom of the casingand the oil bed. The intermediate pipe is of similar construction to thecylinder but itsinner surface need not be polished.

It will be noted that, contrary to conventional construction, thecylinder is open at its upper end and thus the piston is unhindered andcan free passage into operative position in the well and out.

Attached to the lower end of the cylinder 9, as by threads I4, is thestanding valve, generally indicated by the numeral I5. It consists ofthe drum I6 with the valve seat I'I and the poppet I8. On the upstrokeof the piston the poppet I8 lifts against the action of the spring I9 topermit the oil to pass into the cylinder 8. In operation, the poppetrides in the guide. 20 which is perforated as shown in Fig. 3 to permitthe passage of oil through the valve from below. On 75 the downstroke ofthe piston the poppet I8 seats,

the sand and permit it to pass into 'the pump.v

be'freely removed from the well without impair.

aided by the action of the spring I8, to seal the lower end of theworking chamber.

The poppet is equipped with a flanged button 2| and the drum has aiiange 2i. 'These elements function in the assembling and disassemblingof the well and will be discussed more at length hereinafter.

Between the working barrel and the casing I provide the fluid-tightpacking seal 24, 2l which prevents the oil from passing below this levelin the casing and positions the working chamber, which otherwise issuspended loosely in the container 28, stably withinV the well. When thewell is inproduction there is a column of oil in the casing from thislevel to the surface of the ileld. The seal consists of two rings ofrubber, lead or other pliable material which spreads under the weight ofthe working barrel. The lower ring 24 sets upon the container 28, theupper `ring 25 fits around the bell shaped guide I0,

which overlaps the container 28 for this purpose. and the two rings meetalong the beveled surface 21, as shown. The working chamber, in positionin the well, rests on the container 26 with the packing 24, 25 confinedbetween the top edge of the container 26, the casing I and the flangedguide I0. The beveled surfaces 21 act to facilitate the spreading of therings and also permit them to separate readily in disassembling thewell.

I provide a container, indicated generally by the reference numeral 26,which functions to close the lower endl of and contain the column of oil-within the casing I when the pump 5, including the piston 8, and theworking barrel 8 and the standing valve I5, are removed from the well.'I'he container 28 fits loosely in the casing I and liner 4 and includesthe tubing 28 which extends from the casing, which is at a level abovethe level of the fluid bed, to a level far enough with- I in the limitsof the fluid bed to permit the pump 5 to extend into the fluid bed.Attached to the tubing 26', below the lower extremity of theworkingbarrel 8 and the standing valve I5, the tubing 28' being extendedlong enough for this purpose, I provide the'standing valve 28 which, inaddition to closing the lower end of the container, operates auxiliaryto standing valve Il.

The auxiliary standing valve 28 is similar to the standing valve I 5. Itconsists of the drum I8'. valve seat I1', and poppet I8. Thepoppet'rides in the guide 20 and is equipped with the ilanged button 2|.The drum I8 is provided with the flange 23'. The dimensions oftheelements inside the drum I8', the inside dimensions of the drum itselfand, especially, the dimensions of the button 2|' and the flange 23' arethe same as or similar to corresponding elements of the standing valveI5. This permits the'use of the same tool for removing and applyingeither valve fromV or to the well. i

The auxiliary valve is joined to the casing by tubing 28 and is sealedby means of fluid-tight packing rings 24', 25' which are similar to therings 24,125 and function in the same manner. The rings 24', 25 spreadunder the weight oi the container 28, which ts loosely in the casing Iand liner 4, to position the container stably within the well and form aseal to prevent the oil from passing from the casing between the casingand container into the oil bed when the pump 5 has been removed from thewell.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and'5, the attention is directed to the toolindicated generally by the numeral 3|. It comprises the rod 82, the dogs34 and the hooked lingers 35. The dogs 34 are in constant engagementwith the springs 36 lwhich tend to holdy them extended outwardly in theposition shown in Fig. i. I'he springs are guided in the slots el of theshoulder 38 of the rod 32. 'I'he dogs 34 are"'provided with cam surfaces3@ which engage the upper edge of the drum l5, as clearly seen in Fig.4, to cause the dogs 35i to retract against the action of the springs 35until they pass below the range oi the ange or shoulder 23. The springsat then extend the dogs outwardly into iatching engagement with the`shoulder 23.

is the tool advances into the drum iii vthe hooks L32 of the fingers 35aengage the button 2i and they spread until they fall beneath the flangeor shoulder Si ih latching engagement therewith. The fingers 35 arepivoted at i3 and have the upwardly extending triggers iii which extendinto the paths of the dogs 3Q and are actuated, when the dogs retract,to spread the hooks l2 to disengage them from the shoulder di. As

shown, the shoulder t@ extends below the dogs 3ft to form a protectingapron tl for the fingers 35. The apron ill is vprovided with the beveledsurface i5 which functions to guide the tool into the working barrel tby cooperatingl with the surface i2 and from the working barrel into thedrum it.

The tubing #it nts loosely over the cable 2t? and is so positionedwhenever the tool 8l is attached to the cable. Whenever the tool is inthe weil in engagement with. thesta/nding valve, either i5 or 2t, thetubing t6 can be dropped into thedwell where it falls to rest on theshoulder 38. In this position it has actuated the springs 36 and thushas retracted the dogs 3d out of engagement with the shoulder 23 and thefingers 35 out oi engagement with the flanged button 2i. By this meansthe tool has been released from the standing valve and'can be drawn fromthe well leaving the stand ing valve in the well.

The well is constructed in this manner. Presuming that the well has beendrilled and the casing i, sealed with cement 3, has been positioned inthe well and the perforated liner t positioned in the Well. equippedwith apump. The well, inthe condition stated, may be one newlyconstructed or one that has been operated according to prior artpractice and is now to be equipped in accordance with my invention. Thecable 29 is rst passed through the tubing it and is then attached to thetool 3i. The ring 25' is positioned on the container 26 and the ring 2tis positioned over it. The tool 3i is now attached to the valve 28 withthe dogs 3d engaging the flange 23' and the hooks Q2 engaging thebuttonl. 'Ihe tool is now lowered into the well carrying with it thelower standing valve 2t and the tubing 26 as a unitary structurecomprising the container 25.

' The standing valve 28 will continue into the well until the ring 2d'engages rthe top of the liner li. The container 25 is made long enoughto extend from the casing i to a level well within the limits of the oilbed so that the working chamber, in its position within the container,extends to a level within the limits of the oil bed. This is readilyaccomplished by using a standard size tubing. The weight of thecontainer 26 and the standing valve i5' cause the rings 24 and 25' tospread to form a stable support for the container y 2t and a fluid-tightseal between the container 2G and the casing l.

Until the container 26 has been'positioned in the well the tubing 46 hasbeen held at the sur- The well is now ready to be face. Now it isdropped into the well and it falls until it resest on the shoulder 38.In the latter position it has released the dogs from engagement with theange 23 and the fingers 35 from engagement with the button 2|'. Thispermits the tool 3l to be brought to the surface leaving the container2E stably in position in the well.

In a similar manner the working barrel and standing valve l5, as aunitary structure comprising the working chamber, are lowered into thewell. The ring '25 is positioned on the bell shaped guide l0 and thering 2li is positioned over ring 25. The tubing i6 being positioned onthe cable, the tool 3| is attached to the valve l5 with the dogstengaging the flange 23 and the fingers 35 engaging the button 2l. Thevalve i5 is then lowered into the well until the ring 2t rests on thetop of the container 26. yThe weight of the working barrel assemblycauses the rings 2t and 25 to spread coniined between the top edge ofthe container 26, the casing l and the iianged guide lll to position theworking chamber stably within the well and form a seal between theworking barrel and the casing which prevents oil from passing from thecasing into the well outside the working barrel. The tool is now removedfrom the valve l5 in the same manner in which it was removed from valveZt, by the use of the tubing-d6.

When .the tool'is brought to the surface, the piston is attached to thecable in its stead and the piston is lowered into the well. In itsdescent into the well the piston is guided into op.- erating position inthe cylinder by bell shaped guide i0. The cable is now rigged up forpumping and the well is ready to produce.

It will be noted that the cylinder above the piston is open to thecasing. In the down stroke of the piston the valves l5 and 28 closeunder the action of the springs i9 and i9' and the oil in the workingchamber passes through the valve "l and through the piston 6 directlyinto and through the casing l. On the up stroke of the piston the valve'l seals and the piston lllits the oil in its passage through the casingi to the surface. At the same time the piston draws oil into the workingchamber 8 through thevalve i5 and the valve 2B which lift against actionof the springs I9, I9' respectively acting on the two valves. onestanding valve is necessary. However, if the standing valve of theordinary well fails, there is serious danger that the well bepermanently injured. At any rate, the well must be dismantled for repairand this, as brought out more fully hereinafter, involves much greaterdanger of impairing the future production of the well. In the use of mypump, should one of the standing valves fail, the other valve wouldcontinue in operation and production of the well would be maintaineduninterrupted.

Should it ever become necessary to dismantle my new pump as, for exampleto make repairs, the cable is simply rigged for pulling the pump and thepiston is pulled unhindered by and independent of the working chamber.In most cases this is allthat is necessary to completely repair the pumpbecause the most frequent repair necessary is the replacement of pistonpacking. This repair accomplished the piston can be replaced in thewell, the cable rigged for pumping and the well is .again ready forproduction with little trouble and at small expense and, more important,without a great hiatus in production.

In some cases when the piston has been re- In the normal operation ofthe well but 4 moved it will prove advisable to remove the standingvalve I5 to determine the condition of the cylinder and the valve. Thiscan be done with little trouble and loss of production. For this purposethe piston is removed from the cable and the tool 3i attached. The toolis now lowered into the well and, guided by the bell shaped guide Il andthe surface 45 it will pass readily into the cylinder 8 and the drum I6.The cam surfaces 3l of the dogs 34 engaging the top of the drum willcause the dogs to retract against the action of the springs 36.- In thecontinued de- .scent of the tool 3i the dogs 34 will extend outwardlyand be in latching engagement with the flange 23 and the fingers 35 willspread until the hooks 42 engage the flange 4I of the but-y ton 2I,

The tool is now drawn up and the hooks 42 first lift the valve I5 fromits seat I'| and relieve the retarding action of the weight of thecolumn of oil in the casing I. In addition, the removal of the cylinderdoes not disturb the container 26 and itspacking seal and the column ofoil in the casing is not removed. In prior art wells, the removal of thepump also removes the column of oil from the pump to the surface, orelse it must be permitted to fall into the well directly onto the oilbed.

While the working barrel 8 is being pulled, it will Ibe noted, the lowerstanding valve 28 carries the load of the column of oil, and it is notpermitted to fall onto the oil bed. If the oil is permitted to fall ontothe bed, it sets up a back pressure which seals the sand and impairs thefuture production of the well. This has been the cause of frequentinjury to the wells of prior art practice.

If it is desired to remove the lower standing valve 28, this can be donewithout injury to the not leave a heavy column of oil to fall onto thedbed. It will be noted that the casing is free from obstruction at thisstage of the dismantling of the well and there is no great problem inswabbing the well. Enough oil remains in 'the casing to prevent the airfrom coming into contact with the bed when the lower standing valve 28is removed.

In the prior art practice it will be noted that, when the well isdismantled for repair, the pump in its entirety, including the workingbarrel, the piston and the single standing valve, are removed as a unit.T'he connecting rod to the piston constitutes the tubing that conveysvthe column of oil and there is a column of air in the casing. As thetubing is parted progressively into lengths to bring the pump to thesurface, the column of oil is also brought to the surface and theremoval of the pump exposes the bed to the air. This causes a cooling ofthe bed with a resultant parafning which lowers the future production ofthe bed. I eliminate any danger of the oil bed being exposed to air.

I claim: l. A well comprising a casing extending from the surface of thefield to a level only near to but above the level of the fluid bed forpassage of thel absence of the pump and to permit the passage of fluidfrom the fluid bed to the casing, said pump being so positioned relativeto the container that it may be removed from the well without causingthe container to release the column of fluid in the casing for passagefrom the casing into the fluid bed.

2. A well comprising a casing extending from the surface of the fleld toa level only near to but above the level of the fluid bed for passage ofpumped fluid to the surface, a container to close the lower end of thecasing so constructed as to permit the passage of fluid from the fluidbed to the casing but to prevent the passage of fluid from the casinginto the fluid bed and extending from the casing to a level within thelimits of the fluid bed, a pump within the well extending to a levelwithin the limits of the fluid bed for pumping fluid from the fluid bedinto and through the casing, means for removing the pump from the well,the pump being extended into the container and positioned in such amanner that the removal of the pump from Ythe well may be effectedwithout causing the container to release the column of fluid in thecasing for passage from the casing into the fluid bed.

3. A well comprising a casing extending from the surface of the fleld toa level only near to but above the level of the fluid bed for passage ofthe pumped fluid to the surface, a container to close the lower end ofthe casing so constructed as to permit the passage of fluid from thefluid bed to the casing but to prevent the passage of fluid from thecasing into the fluid bed and extending from the casing to a levelwithin the limits of the fluid bed, a pump within the well comprising aworking chamber and a piston extending to a level within the limits ofthe fluid bed for pumping fluid from the fluid bed into and through thecasing, means for removing the piston from the well independent of theworking lchamber, the working chamber comprising a cylinder open at itsupper end to permit unhindered insertion and removal of the piston,means for removing the working chamber from the well, the workingchamber being extended into the container and positioned in such amanner that the removal of the working chamber from the well may beeffected without causing the container to release the column of fluid inthe casing for passage from the casing into the fluid bed.

4. A well comprising a casing extending from the surface of the field toa level only near to but above the level of the fluid bed for passage ofthe pumped fluid to the surface, a container to close the lower end ofthe casing so constructed as to permit the passage of fluid from thefluid bed to the casing but to prevent the passage of fluid from thecasing into the fluid bed and extending from the casing to a levelwithin the limits of the fluid bed, a fluid-tight seal between thecontainer and the casing, a pump within the well extending from thecasing to a level within the .limits of the fluid bed for pumping fluidfrom the fluid bed into and through the casing and comprising a workingchamber and a piston, means for removing the piston from the wellindependent of the working chamber, the working chamber comprising acylinder open at its upper f working chamber from the well, the pumpbeing extended into the container and positioned in such a manner thatthe removal of the pump from the well may be effected without causingthe container to release the column of uid in the casing for passagefrom the casing into the fluid bed.

5. A well comprising a casing extending from the surface of the eld to alevel only near to but above the level of the uid bed for passage of thepumped fluid to the surface, `a container to close the lower end of thecasing so constructed as to permit thepassage of iiuid from the fluidbed to the casing but to prevent the passage of fluid from the casinginto the fluid bed and extending from the casing to a level within thelimits of the fluid bed, a pump within the well extending to a levelwithin the limits -of the iiuid bed for pumping iiuid from the iiuid bedI into and through the casing, means for removing the pump .from thewell, the pump being extended into tlie container and positioned in sucha manner that the removal of the pump from the well may be effectedwithout causing the container to release the column of iiuid in thecasing for passage from the casing into the uid Y bed, means forremoving the container from the well, the means ior removing the pumpand the container being similar in dimensions to permit the use of thesame tool for removing both elements. i,

6. A well comprising a casing extending from the surface of the eld to alevel only near to but above the level of the fluid bed for passage ofthe pumped iuid to the surface, a container to close the lower end ofthe casing to prevent the passage of uid from the casing into the uidlbed and comprising a tubing extending from the casing to a level withinthe limits of the uid bed and a standing valve at the lower end of thetubing which opens to permit the passage of iluid from the uid bed tothe container and closes to prevent the passage of fluid back into thefluid bed, a pump within the well extending to a level within the limitsof the uid bed for pumping fluid from the uid bed into and through thecasing and comprising a working' chamber and a piston, means forremoving the piston from lthe well independent of the workingout causingthe container to release the columnl of iiuid within the casing forpassage from the casing int'o the fluid bed, means embodied in thestanding valve of the container for removing the container from thewell, the standing valves of the working chamber and the container beingoi similar dimensions to permit the use oi' the same tool for removingboth elements.

'1. A well comprising a casing extending from the surface of the fieldto a levelnear to but above the level of the uid bed for passage of.

the pumped uid to the surface, a container to close the lower end of thecasing comprising a tubing fitting loosely within the casing andextending from the casing to a level within the limits of the uid bed, aduid-tight seal between the casing and the container to prevent thepassage of uid from the casing to the fluid bed, a pump for pumping theuid from the iiuid bed into and throughthe casing and comprising aworking chamber and a piston, the working chamber fitting loosely in thecasing, extending from the casing into the container to a level Withinthe limits of the uid bed and comprising a cylinder tting loosely withinthe container and open at its end to permit the unimpairedbinsertion andremoval of the piston, a ange at the upper end of the cylinderoverlapping the container and a packing confined between the upper edgeof the container, the casing andthe iiange for resting the workingchamber on the container in stable position within the well, means forremoving the piston from the well independent of the working chamber,means for removing the working chamber from the well without disturbingthe container and its seal, ,means for removing the container from thewell, the means for removing the working chamber and the container beingof similar dimensions to permit the use of the same tool for removingboth elements.

8. A Well consisting of a casing a`nd a subterranean pump, the pumpcomprising a working chamber within the space described by the insideperiphery of the casing, the working chamber consisting of an uprightcylinder open to the casing at its upper end, a piston and a first,standing valve for passage of the oil into the cylinder, a fluid-tightseal between the Working chamber and the casing to prevent the passage,

rst standing valve, operable simultaneous with but independent of it,the second standing valve forming a unit separate .from the ilrststanding valve and positioned within the space described by the insideperiphery of the casing, a fluidtight seal between the second standingvalve and the casing to prevent the passage of oil from the casing intothe oil bed, means embodied in the second standing valve to facilitateits removal from the well, the means for removing the iirst and secondstanding valves being of like construction to permit the use of the sametool.

9. A wellconsisting of a casing,- a subterranean pump and a container,the pump being positioned within the space described by the insideperiphery of the casing and comprising a working barrel, a piston and arst standing valve, the working barrel consisting of an upright cylinderopen to the casing at its upper end, the iirst standing valve beingpositioned at the lower end of the cylinder to permit the passage oi'the pumped iiuid-into the cylinder and forming a unitary structure withthe cylinder, means embodied in this structure to facilitate its removalfrom the well without disturbing the container, the container comprisinga tubing between the pump and lthe fluid bed and'a second standingvalveauxiliary to the ilrst standing valve and operable simultaneouslywith but independent'of it, and a duid-tight seal between the containerand the casing.

10. In awell as claimed in claim 9, means embodied in the auxiliarystanding valve to facilitate its removal from the well.

CHARLES H. HUTTO.

